Some of you guys must be playing Axis & Allies too much… because it is very difficult to win at Risk if you don’t have an optimum starting position.
South America is second best, after Australia. North America is probably third because, while large, there are only 3 points of attack as IL mentioned. Europe is a deathtrap, Asia is way too big for any early considerations and Africa is in the middle of all the action.
When I play Risk it is typically with 4 or more people, so the board is quite busy. Starting position is key. Then it becomes a game of politics and and alliances, which I really dislike. It is less about a physical strategy and more about who is most powerful and how to depose him.
And in Risk, as most of you know, you cannot spread your forces out and expect to win. Which makes me wonder about this Mid-East sub-strategy… What is the point? Yeah sure, it is a springboard, but to where?
Africa? - Crossroads of the game, much too busy.
Asia? - Way too big… unless you just want a conglomeration of green territories. But then greed gets the best of you and you WILL overextend.
Europe? - Again, a deathtrap.
The other three continents are a good distance from the middle east. And having a garrison there, just to have some regional force is just a waste of precious resources.